SCOTT are confident enough not to send the flagship model of the Addict RC series into this comparison test, settling on the Addict RC Pro instead. No wonder, since the differences to the Addict RC Ultimate are limited. But is that enough to face up against the four fastest race bikes of the 2021 season?

Get an overview of the grouptest here: The best race bike of 2021 – 5 high-end models on test

SCOTT Addict RC Pro | 6.99 kg in size L | € 8,499 | Hersteller-Website

SCOTT have been racing the Addict RC in the WorldTour for years and let the wishes and experience of the pros flow directly into its development. The flagship model in particular is designed for racing. However, in this test the Swiss company didn’t deliver the Addict RC Ultimate but the RC Pro, which sits one rung down the ladder. The differences include a different carbon layup and a Shimano DURA-ACE Di2 groupset instead of SRAM RED eTap AXS. In addition, Syncros Capital 1.0 35 wheels are fitted instead of Zipp’s 303 Firecrest. Compared to the flagship build, that adds up to additional weight of just under 100 g and a saving of € 3,500. Our size L test bike weighs 6.99 kg and costs € 8,499. The electronic Shimano DURA-ACE Di2 groupset with 52/36 t chainrings and an 11–30 t cassette ensures fast and precise gear changes, with a range that matches the bike’s intended use well. However, for those who ride in very mountainous regions or aren’t at peak fitness, a compact crank (50/34 t) would be recommended. The SCOTT Addict RC Pro comes without a power meter.

If you want to lean into the corners like Valentino Rossi, the SCOTT Addict RC Pro is the bike for you: with its wide tires, it carves through open turns like no other road bike in the test.

At the limit
The Addict RC Pro is by far the cheapest bike in the test, nor is it SCOTT’s flagship race weapon. So while it’s understandable that this bike doesn’t come with a power meter, we would have been happy if it did!
Race or all-road?
The Pirelli P ZERO 700 x 28C tires are a full 31 mm wide on the Syncros Capital 1.0 35 wheels of the SCOTT Addict RC Pro. This means that the bike has by far the widest tires in the test and would also be well-equipped for all-road use. However, what is good for comfort robs the bike of uncompromising racing speed.
Aerodynamically direct!
The front brake calliper of the Addict is attached via a direct-mount design when equipped with a 160 mm rotor. To hide the bolts at the front of the fork, they have been recessed and are concealed with a cover. Clean look, great aerodynamics.

SCOTT Addict RC Pro 2021

€ 8,499

Specifications

Seatpost Syncros Duncan SL Aero 20 mm
Brakes Shimano DURA-ACE BR-R9170 160/160 mm
Drivetrain Shimano DURA-ACE Di2 R9170 2 x 11
Chainring 52/36
Stem Syncros Creston iC SL 110 mm
Handlebar Syncros Creston iC SL 420 mm
Wheelset Syncros Capital 1.0 35
Tires Pirelli P ZERO Velo 31 mm

Technical Data

Size XXS XS S M L XL 2XL
Weight 6.99 kg

Specific Features

one-piece Creston iC SL carbon cockpit
direct-mount front calliper with cover
31 mm wide tires
sandwich dropouts


Nothing to complain about
The seat post clamp is inconspicuous but easily accessible: very well solved!
Good ergonomics
The one-piece Syncros Creston iC SL cockpit convinces with good ergonomics and, together with the tires, cushions the otherwise low inherent comfort of the frame.
Did someone say sandwich?
The dropouts of the SCOTT Addict RC Pro have a so-called sandwich construction. This means that the derailleur hanger isn’t bolted to the outside of the dropouts but is pushed into a recess.

The braking performance of the Shimano DURA-ACE is at the highest level, offering sufficient power and good modulation at all times. However, it doesn’t offer quite the same initial bite as the SRAM RED HRD brake system. The SCOTT Addict RC Pro also uses a one-piece aero cockpit, in the form of the in-house Syncros Creston iC SL unit. On our size L test bike, it comes with a stem length of 110 mm and a width of 420 mm. The Syncros Capital 1.0 35 wheels are 35 mm deep with a 21 mm internal width. The 700 x 28C Pirelli P ZERO Velo tires fitted to them measure a full 31 mm wide – by far the widest tires in the test. This is great for vibration damping and handling through corners but hurts the bike’s efficiency.

Size XXS XS S M L XL XXL
Seat tube 410 mm 430 mm 460 mm 480 mm 500 mm 520 mm 550 mm
Top tube 520 mm 530 mm 540 mm 550 mm 565 mm 580 mm 600 mm
Head tube 97 mm 102 mm 115 mm 135 mm 155 mm 175 mm 193 mm
Head angle 70.5° 71.0° 72.0° 72.5° 73.0° 73.3° 73.3°
Seat angle 74.5° 74.5° 74.0° 73.6° 73.3° 73.0° 72.5°
Chainstays 410 mm 410 mm 410 mm 410 mm 410 mm 410 mm 410 mm
BB Drop 70 mm 70 mm 70 mm 70 mm 70 mm 70 mm 70 mm
Wheelbase 988 mm 994 mm 991 mm 992 mm 1,000 mm 1,008 mm 1,023 mm
Reach 380 mm 388 mm 389 mm 390 mm 395 mm 400 mm 410 mm
Stack 504 mm 511 mm 527 mm 548 mm 569 mm 588 mm 606 mm
Helmet Oakley ARO3 | Glasses Oakley Sutro Lite | Jersey Velocio Lela Rose Poppy SE Jersey
Pants Velocio CONCEPT Bib Short | Shoes Suplest EDGE+ Road Pro
Socks Velocio Signature Wool Sock

The fact that the SCOTT Addict RC Pro isn’t the sharpest racing whip in the SCOTT portfolio is noticeable in terms of speed. It doesn’t accelerate as effortlessly as the candidates from Trek, BMC and Wilier and is at the bottom of the test field in terms of efficiency. This is most likely due to the tires, which are very voluminous for a race bike. It might be nitpicking, but the SCOTT Addict RC Pro still loses valuable time to the competition on flat and undulating terrain. Despite its first-class uphill and downhill performance, it doesn’t have enough to deliver a best time. Nonetheless, although it’s the heaviest bike in the test field, it climbs the fastest.

It also comes out on top on the downhills, together with the Wilier Filante SLR, which is mainly thanks to the excellent cornering characteristics of the wide Pirelli tires and highly precise handling. Overall, the bike covered our extrapolated 150 km test route with almost 2,000 m of climbing with an average speed of 25.9 km/h, taking 5 h 47 m 11 s to do so.

In terms of handling, the SCOTT Addict RC Pro is very balanced and, together with the Specialized S-Work Tarmac SL7, is at the top of the test field. It delivers a smooth ride and extreme precision but doesn’t steer quite as instantly as the competition from Trek, Wilier and BMC, likely due to the wide tires. Thankfully, this means that the SCOTT won’t overburden race bike newcomers. The bike’s good vibration damping is generated primarily by the voluminous tires as well as the cockpit and seat post. The frame itself is very stiff, as is typical for SCOTT. As a result, larger impacts that can’t be absorbed by the components become all the more noticeable. Particularly on rough surfaces with technical corners, good skills are required. However, on good surfaces, the comfort contributes just as much to the sense of security as the powerful brakes and balanced handling.

Tuning tips: If you are looking for a race bike suitable for everyday use, leave it exactly as it is. If you need more “race”, you should mount narrower tires (at the expense of comfort). | fit a power meter

Riding Characteristics

4

Agility

  1. cumbersome
  2. playful

Stability

  1. nervous
  2. confident

Handling

  1. demanding
  2. balanced

Fun factor

  1. boring
  2. lively

Comfort

  1. firm
  2. comfortable

Value for money

  1. terrible
  2. very good

Technical Data

SCOTT
Addict RC Pro

Size: XXS XS S M L XL 2XL
Weight: 6.99 kg
Price: € 8,499

Indended Use

Flat/Undulating terrain 1
Uphill 2
Downhill 3

Conclusion

The SCOTT Addict RC Pro is simply not focussed enough on all-out racing when it comes to the wheel-tire combination to win in this group test. But that’s not a bad thing: what the bike loses in acceleration and efficiency on the flat, it makes up for in cornering abilities, becoming king here. In addition, the good vibration damping makes it very well suited to a relaxed Sunday lap on perfect asphalt.

Tops

  • excellent climbing performance, despite bulky tires and the highest weight in the test
  • good vibration damping
  • loves corners and carving thanks to the wide tires
  • good combination of smoothness and directness

Flops

  • low inherent comfort of the frame
  • sacrifices pure race performance with large tires
  • no power meter installed

You can find out more about at scott-sports.com

The test field

Get an overview of the grouptest here: The best race bike of 2021 – 5 high-end models on test

All bikes in test: BMC Teammachine SLR01 ONE (Click for review) | SCOTT Addict RC Pro | Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 (Click for review) | Trek Émonda SLR 9 eTap (Click for review) | Wilier Filante SLR Astana-Premier Tech Team Edition (Click for review)


Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl